Malcolm Turnbull says he has been given a guarantee from gas companies they'll leave more of the resource in Australia, after warning them of the "enormous" government powers available to control exports.
But Labor frontbencher Mark Butler said the prime minister's meeting with gas chiefs, set up following an energy crisis, was "just another talk fest".
Mr Turnbull said gas producers committed to ensuring there was enough gas to meet peaks in demand and bring more supply into the market as quickly as possible.
The prime minister said he made it clear the government would not shy away from "any measures required" to ensure the domestic market is well-supplied.
One of the most obvious options available to government is mandating an amount of gas to be kept domestically, not sold overseas.
"I stress, we will not shirk from any measures that would be required - if all else fails - to protect Australian businesses, jobs and families," Mr Turnbull told reporters after the meeting in Canberra.
Labor wants a national interest test in place to reserve gas for Australian domestic users if needed.
"The prime minister is shirking his responsibility and has taken no action to ensure the energy security of the nation," Mr Butler said.
The parties at the meeting also agreed that gas market reforms would be accelerated, and the consumer watchdog would interrogate the entire gas supply chain to put downward pressure on prices.
There was also agreement to continue pressuring state and territory governments to revisit restrictions on gas development and exploration, following Victoria's recent decision to ban fracking.
The energy market regulator predicts a shortage of gas could lead to widespread power shortages as soon as next year.
The peak body for the industry blames state governments for development moratoriums and high regulatory costs.
Shell Australia chairman Andrew Smith said developing additional local supply, particularly in Victoria, was a key component of ensuring competitive prices.
Cheryl Cartwright, from the Australian Pipelines and Gas Association, said the industry held sufficient capacity to ensure gas is provided when and where it's required.
But APGA is concerned the gas market reforms, which the pipeline industry supports, are to be sped up.
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